Reds’ top pick from last month’s baseball draft joins Dragons

Jonathan India is making quick work of the Reds minor league system in his first month as a pro. He’ll be in the starting lineup for the Dragons at Fifth Third Field on Monday night, his third team since signing a contract.

Cincinnati’s top pick in last month’s draft, India started his career with the Reds rookie league team in Greeneville, Tennessee. After 14 games he moved to Billings, Montana, where he barely had a chance to un-pack his suitcase.

India played three games for the Mustangs before being promoted to Dayton. The Dragons needed an infielder when Jeter Downs went out with an injury Saturday night.

“It’s a business here and for me I just take it game by game and play the game I love,” India said after arriving in Dayton Monday afternoon. “You can’t really think about all the switching teams and traveling, you just have to keep playing and keep a level head.”

India was the fifth overall selection in the June draft. A consensus All-American at the University of Florida, he’s hitting .259 in 17 pro games while still trying to figure out what position he will end up playing.

“They want me to be a shortstop, I know that, but I can play anywhere,” India said. “I think I’m playing third base (Monday) so we’ll see.”